Leon Hazle murder: Violence flared on bus 'within seconds', court hears
A man accused of killing a complete stranger on a bus after a row 'squared up' to his alleged victim less than a minute after their first interaction, a court heard.
Kieran Gillespie has denied murdering Smethwick man Leon Hazle on the number 11 bus in Handsworth on January 23.
CCTV shown to a jury at Birmingham Crown Court proved how quickly violence had erupted between the pair on the top deck.
Gillespie, aged 25, and his alleged victim were sat a couple of rows apart when they started talking to each other – with Gillespie starting to stand up just six seconds later.
And within another eight seconds he had begun to get out of his seat and move towards 36-year-old Mr Hazle.
Prosecutor Stephen Linehan QC said at the point he was approached by Gillespie, Mr Hazle was 'gripping both the seat on his right and the seat on his left'.
Seconds later Mr Hazle punched Gillespie, who responded with an attack of his own.
The prosecution allege Gillespie stabbed Mr Hazle with a knife – but the defendant has said it was a pair of scissors.
After getting off the bus, Gillespie was seen returning minutes later – which the prosecution alleged was in order to retrieve his hat, which they say had fallen off during the fight.
Gillespie has claimed he returned to see if his victim was ‘alright’.
The court heard earlier how Gillespie had told police officers a disagreement was sparked because Mr Hazle kept looking at him.
When he opened the case, prosecutor Mr Linehan alleged: “The fact is Kieran Gillespie became angry by the fact Leon Hazle had looked at him.”
After Mr Hazle's death, his family paid a touching tribute to him, saying: "Family and friends are devastated by the tragic loss of a wonderful, warm, kind, generous of heart and much-loved Leon Barrett Hazle.
"We have been robbed of the best son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend anyone could ever wish for.
"Words cannot express the immense grief and pain we are suffering but memories of your infectious smile, happy-go-lucky style will help fill the massive void in our lives."
Gillespie, of Wellesbourne Road, Birmingham, denies murder.
The trial continues.
